PCAT Biological Processes – Neuron Anatomy in Signal Propagation

Which term refers to the specialized part of a neuron in which action potentials are summated before propagating down the axon?

A. Dendrite
B. Soma
C. Axon hillockD. Synaptic cleft

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C is correct. The axon hillock is the specialized part of the cell body that connects to the axon. It is here that action potentials are summated before traveling down the axon. Dendrites are the projections of neurons that receive signals from other neurons, the soma is the cell body, and the synaptic cleft is the space between two neurons at the synapse.